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newsQUEENSLANDA NEW “Right to Teach/Right toLearn” campaign developed bysouthern Queensland TeachersUnion members ensures theyare aware of their “professionalrights and responsibilities” in theworkplace.This concept, known as “assertiveprofessionalism”, has been widelyaccepted in Queensland and enablesQTU members to manage their individualworkload by making decisionsabout what is best for students intheir class and their school.NEW SOUTH WALESHUNDREDS of public sector workersrallied in Lismore — one of a seriesof protests across the state againstthe new Coalition Government’s paypolicy. Teachers made up abouthalf the crowd who gathered at theNSW Teachers’ Federation officeand made their way to local NationalParty MP Thomas George’s office.NORTHERN TERRITORYWITH plans to employ unqualifiedteachers in territory schools,Matthew Cranitch from the AEUNT branch has argued that it is“a Band-Aid fix”. Under the plans,anyone can apply for the positionof a teacher provided they havegraduated from university in anyfield. Education Minister Chris Burnsrefuses to say which schools will beinvolved.AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORYTEACHERS have strongly opposedproposals from the ACT Governmentto give principals the power to “hireand fire”. AEU members claim thatthe Government is simply avoiding itspublic responsibilities by “introducingautonomous staffing”.This has not stopped ACTEducation Minister Andrew Barrfrom continuing with the plans.He believed that “members wereabsorbed in ideological debate” andplans to have the changes in placeby 2013. ◆Overwork threatensPRESCHOOL REFORMSStaff support reforms but pace of change isforcing them out, AEU survey finds.Nic Barnard AEU NewsHIGH levels of stress caused bythe national overhaul of earlychildhood education is causing ahaemorrhage of staff in Victoria,an AEU survey has found.More than half of the teachersand assistants who responded tothe survey expect to leave the sectorwithin five years, with more than a thirdplanning to leave within three, becauseof the reforms sweeping the sector.Yet staff appear broadly supportiveof the changes being introducedby federal and state governments.They say it is the pace of change,huge increase in workload and lackof support and consultation that aredriving them out.The reforms include new earlyyears development plans, nationalquality standards, a My School-stylewebsite and the move to 15 hours perweek preschool for every 4-year-old.More than 400 teachers andassistants responded to the AEUonline survey.An alarming 98% said theirworkload had increased since 2009— with 72% saying it had risen a lot.Some 93% said they were workinglonger hours.And 73% said the changes wereaffecting their decision to stay inthe sector. Of these, 15% plannedto leave within the year, 52% withinthree years and 71% within fiveyears (equivalent to 52% of allrespondents).Asked to rate their “feelings ofdistress” about the changes on ascale of 0–10, 79% said 8 or above.The biggest causes of distress were:• The hours required to engagein the process (identified by85%)• The number of changes (74%)• The level of consultation (56%)• Uncertainty over how the futurewould look (52%)• Pace of change (48%).AEU sector vice president ShayneQuinn said: “People aren’t sayingthey don’t like where we’re heading.It’s about the process by which we’regetting there, and the expectationsbeing placed on the sector.“It’s putting greater pressure onstaff, and it’s all falling into their owntime.“The agenda is a positive one, butit has to be matched by the resourcesand arrangements to support peoplethrough it.“If these are not addressed, all theinvestment in trying to attract peopleinto the sector will be wasted becausewe are haemorrhaging staff at theother end.”The Productivity Commissionhas already identified that Victoriarequires an almost 50% increase inqualified early childhood staff to meetthe reforms.The AEU has launched the Lightenthe Load campaign to address thegrowing workload issues, backedby a resolution passed at its annualconference this month.◆More information at www.aeuvic.asn.au/childhood and www.aeuvic.asn.au/lighten.Conference reports: pages 20–21.Paid parental leave changesAS OF July 1, the Department ofEducation and Early ChildhoodDevelopment is paymaster for thenew federal paid parental leave (PPL)scheme for school employees.The scheme sits in addition to theexisting Schools and ES Agreements’14 weeks’ paid maternity leave (PML).There continues to be some confusionabout these entitlements:PML (14 weeks) is paid for by theemployer (State Government) at fullreplacement wage. Superannuationis also paid and other entitlementsaccrue. This provision has existedsince 1975 (as 12 weeks) followingeducation union campaigns.PPL (18 weeks) is paid for by theFederal Government at the federalminimum wage (about $580 perweek). The DEECD merely acts aspaymaster. Superannuation is notpaid and the time does not count asservice.Applications must be made via theFamily Assistance Office at Centrelink.The two schemes have differenteligibility criteria, so read the AEU’sPPL advice sheet carefully. You canfind it at www.aeuvic.asn.au/women.One feature of PPL is a “KeepingIn Touch” provision to help parentskeep up to date with PD and initiativesat the workplace. It was intended toinvolve a number of days’ attendance.This caused considerable concernthat it might involve compulsion toattend and constitute a return toduty and therefore termination ofPPL payments. These issues are stillbeing negotiated and some legislativeamendments might be needed.Our current advice is not to attendthe workplace or undertake CRT orother work during PPL.DEECD advice is contained in HRMOnline Issue 06-2011 and Issue 07-2011. ◆— Barb Jennings women’s officerwww.aeuvic.asn.au 11